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Nothing is more unnerving than having a cracked tooth. It can happen because of an injury to your face or just everyday life. The good news is, a cracked tooth can be repaired, but you should contact your dental professional right away. Here’s what to know and do if you suspect you’ve cracked a tooth.
A tooth can crack because of an injury. For example, if you’re playing a contact sport and get hit in the mouth. You can also sustain a cracked tooth due to the general wear and tear on your teeth from everyday life. Maybe you like to crunch on hard objects like candy or ice. Teeth-grinding and jaw clenching are also hard on your teeth. Over time, these things can damage your tooth enamel and cause the tooth itself to crack.
More than likely, you’ll feel it. The pulp inside your tooth contains nerves and blood vessels. If you experience sudden pain while eating food with an extreme temperature (hot or cold), you may have a cracked tooth. Another symptom of a cracked tooth is intermittent pain while chewing food.
If your tooth cracks in half, call your dental office immediately to set up an appointment. Make sure to let them know, your tooth is cracked in half. A broken tooth is not something you should put off. It could get worse and become infected. The infection would start in the tooth’s pulp and then spread to the gum and the bone beneath your tooth. If you can’t see your dental professional right away, continue your usual oral hygiene routine until your visit. Just use extra care and brush the cracked tooth more gently.
The quicker you can get into your dental professional for evaluation, the better. It could ultimately save your tooth. Your dentist will then be able to take a look at the damage and decide the best treatment for saving your tooth. Here are some of the treatment options he or she may choose:
• If a tiny piece of enamel or filling has chipped off, you may only need a new filling or some bonding material to restore the chipped portion.
• If only a small piece of your tooth broke off, your dental professional might be able to protect the remainder of the tooth with a crown or filling
• If the fracture is severe, endodontic surgery may be required to remove the fractured portion to protect the pulp and the tooth
• If the crack extends down into the pulp, you may need a root canal or tooth extraction
Cracking your tooth can be a scary thing, but there are multiple treatment and restoration options. Contact your dental professional right away. Early evaluation will lead to the best possible outcome.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
